Luminesque Cafe, in the space at the busy corner of Main and Franklin in Nyack, emits a casual warmth before you even enter. Large glass windows are hand-painted with the name and slogan, “Add Some Light and Spice To Your Life!”

Tucked into one of the large front windows is a funky yellow curved couch, invitingly bedecked with pillows and a hand-knit throw. At the front counter customers can order an array of hot and cold beverages, gelatos, sorbets, and freshly baked goods. Simple small tables made from dark curved wood fill the rest of the space. Sconce lighting adds further warmth to the orange walls.

The name Luminesque was derived from “lumen,” Latin for “light”— “but we had to add our own feminine touch to it,” jokes Laura Cepeda, who owns the cafe with her best friend, Kristena Katelas.

As for the spice, Katelas and Cepeda have imported both spices and cooking techniques from their respective Greek and Grenadan heritages. Their favorite example of this on the menu is the Cariterrean: codfish, feta cheese, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and Caribbean and Mediterranean spices and stuffed into a pita.

Another popular option on the menu is the Raw Deal, a hearty breakfast smoothie consisting of raw oatmeal, granola, walnuts, almonds, cranberries, blueberries, milk and sweet agave nectar.

“It’s not cooked, so you get all the raw nutrients. It’s a power meal. People really enjoy it,” says Katelas. “We have a lot of variety but we want to make sure to be really health conscious.”

Luminesque is committed to healthy, fresh food, with a special preference for organic and local produce. The owners shop at the Nyack Farmers Market every week and also receive frequent deliveries from Albert’s Organics in New Jersey. “We try to stay local as much as possible, to support the community,” says Cepeda.

Luminesque Café has experienced a warm welcome from the Nyack community. Frequent music nights have been a great draw, and weekend brunches feature a pianist on Saturdays and jazz music on Sundays.